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Food, Nutrition and Health

Local Highlights

AMES, Iowa – Daily news reports about Ebola infections, quarantines and death may have children worried that they may be stricken by this disease or other illnesses. Human sciences specialists offer suggestions for helping children cope with their fears in the Science of Parenting blog from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

AMES, Iowa — Farm life with its country setting often is idealized, but as the complications and pace of agriculture have increased, so have the physical and mental demands on farmers. Safety and stress during harvest season cannot be ignored, says Margaret Van Ginkel, an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach human sciences program specialist and Iowa Concern Hotline coordinator.

The 15 percent of Iowans age 65 or older may be retirement age, but that doesn't mean they are retiring. Many are remaining in the workforce or are looking for new opportunities. Mid Life & Beyond: The Whole Picture, from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, helps them examine how they want to live during their next stage of life.

Statewide Resources

Many consumers don’t realize how quickly leftovers can become unsafe. Watch the videos and download the 4-Day Throw Away app to learn about the dangers of foodborne illnesses and the four-day guideline for eating, freezing or throwing away leftovers.

Participate in these classes for child care providers focused on healthy, affordable food choices and physical activities for children. Department of Human Services-approved credit is available for those attending.

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), Family Nutrition Program (FNP), and Loving Your Family-IA are FREE programs that help parents provide nutritious food for their families, leading to healthy children and strong families

The number of overweight children (ages 6-11) has almost quadrupled in the past four decades and for adolescents (12-19) has tripled. Raising Healthy Kids is designed to help parents, communities, and childcare providers address the overweight issue.

Get answers to your home and family questions from the specialists at AnswerLine. Connect with them on the phone, email, Facebook or Twitter for information about cleaning, food preparation, preservation, and safety, home environment, equipment, nutrition, textiles, and laundry. - 1-800-262-3804 or - answer@iastate.edu

Spending less on food often means investing time and effort in planning, shopping and preparing food. Check out our blog, website, and Facebook page to learn skills and adopt habits to feed your family nutritious meals for less money.